Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-03-08
ONLY A SPARK LEFT.
HENRY WARD BRBCHBR REDUCED TO A
BREATHING MACHINE.
Decided Change for the Worse Noticed After
MidnighI-His Family Gathered About His
Bedside Sadly Awaiting The De-
paSure Of His Spirit

lthob
One by one they wOuld silently move in
and out of the sick chamber, taking their
turns at the dreary vigil.
Dr. Searle was at the bost of duty with
out intermission until nearly six o'clock
this morning, when he retired to his home
to snatch few hours rest. Mrs. Beecher
had kept watch over the sick man most OF
the night, fearing he might pass away IN
her absence. She did, however, take few
hours rest on her couch in the room ad-
Joining that where the sufferer lay, but she
left word to be called the instant the
slightest change IN her husbands cOndi-
ton was noted.
Col. Beecher, who lives in the house
with his family, was also ready at mo-
ment's notice to go to his fathers bedside,
but the dread summons did not reach him.
He remained beside the bed for a few hours
while his mother took little repose, but
the brave wife did not remain long away
from her husbands side. She bore her af-
Fiction heroically, and rs the day broke
she was again in the sick chamber. The
other members of the family in the house
were w. C. Beecher and wife, Mr.. and
Mrs. Scoville and two sons and Miss Daisy
Beecher Major Pond, Mr.. Beecher's lee
turing tour manager, who lives close by,
was also ready to come across to the house
at moments notice He is one of the
- -, taf.
relatives who was admitted into the house.
Major Pond had travelled many hundreds
of thousands OF miles with Mr.. Beecher,
and for many years had been one of the
sufferers most intimate friends.
EAGERLY SCANNING THE BULLETINS.
At six o'clock, when DR.. Searle went
home, this bulletin was issued:
Mr.. Beecher has been gradually failing
during the night. His death is not, how
ever, anticipated at pleSent.
TSignedl 'W. S. SEARLE."
All day Sunday and until midnight the
officer on duty ats the door of the house
was kept busy answering the queries OF
friends or strangers. For hours the peO-
pie stood in the cold, damp weather look
ing ut the house, and it was not until the
lights in the windows were lowered that
the crowd was entirely dispersed. Even
as late rs one O'Clock this morning persons
climbed up the steps and tried to read the
last bulletins. Most of the flowers sent to
the house came from the members of the
congregation.
Major Pond was in the house most of
the day. He told the circumstances con-
nected with Mr.. Heecher's daily Occupa-
tiOnS Just previous to the attack with con-
siderable feeling. He said that Mr..
Bcechcr only on Tuesday told him how
strong he felt and how glad he was that he
would be able to complete his book in
time for the publishers, and what pleasure
he found in writing the work Major
| Pond also told of Mr.. Beecher'S visit to
| England quarter of century ago. In
| the coming September it was intended to
give a grand celebration in honor of Mr..
Beecher'S tiftieth year in the ministry and
the first half century OF his married life,
also his tortieth year OF his ministry at the
| brooklyn church.
All this morning from Just before day
! light there was collected a crowd of people
on the sidewalk in front of the Beecher
residence eagerly scanning the latest bull
letin.
! PIECE OF BREATHING MACHINERY.
Dr. Searle left the house at 7;30 a. m,
after issuing the : o'clock bulletin. At
| five minutes to ten he came again and re-
mained for fifteen minutes When he left
he issued the following bulletin:
| March :, 1920 a. m.-NO change in Mr..
| Beecher's condition since the last bulletin
was issued.
lSignedl W. S. SEARLE, NJ. ID.
Rev. Henry Jacobs, of the Jewish Min
isters' Association, called at the house and
was allowed to 90 into Mr.. Bcecher' 5
room. After looking intently upon the
form of the great divine, he sighed and left
the room. In the hallway he was met by
one of the family and said: This is not
Mr.. Beecher; it is simply a piece of breath
ing machinery
\ few minutes after eleven o'clock Col
II. Il. Beecher left the house to 90 TO his
Office for short time At the corner he
was met by reporter and asked If his
brother, Herbert Beccher, was coming ON
from Fort Seattle, Washington Territory.
In reply he said: Herbert telegraphed
asking if he should come on and | ans
wered that it would not be necessary.
would prefer that the members OF the
family would remember him rs he has
been, and not as he is now. Mr.. Beecher
is being nursed by nurse named RiOr-
don"
When asked how Mrs. BeeCher was, he
replied that she WAS more composed now
h,N h, l,ol Mr Rannhar m
die She is in the room constantly. Last
night she slept on the cot in the next
room. DR. Searle said after he left the
house that Mr.. Bcccher's pulse and tenn
perature were the same. He lies in state
of COMA and does not move His breath
ing is heavy and quick. He is perfectly
unconscious. although Mrs Beecher
thought this morning that he recognized
her when she spoke to him.
The Plymouth Church Committee will
hold meeting tonight in the lecture
room of the church to make such arrange
ments rs may be necessary.
At 1l:25 DR.. Searle returned To the
house. Before entering he said that he
wOuld issue bulletin at noon He did
not expect any change in Mr.. Beecher's s
condition. Life is slowly ebbing away,
and from the reports of those who have
seen Mr.. Beecher, it is evident that the
end is not far off
Il THE NOON BULLETIN.
The following bulletin was issued at
noon:
M.-Condition of Mr.. BeeCher at this
hour does not vary essentially from that
given to the press last evening. The only
changes perceptible are an increase in the
rapidity of pulse and respirations. These
stand respectively los and 36 to 3S per min
ute. The respiration is also more shallow.
The temperature reaches l0l degrees These
symptoms indicate the gradual failure OF
vitality which has been anticipated and
the consequent slow approach of the end.
This course of the disease can only be
changed by the occurrence OF fresh hemorT-
hage, an accident which may or may not
happen and the time of which cannot be
surmised. There are no reasons TO believe
that fatal issue will occur to-day.
/ W. s. SEARLE, NJ. ID.
Mrs. s. V. White left the house at noon.